Sonic generator for use with a timing and data collection system for a live sporting event

Abstract

A sonic generator for use with timing and data collection systems is a button activated device operated by a referee during a live sporting event. It can be hand-held or integrated with a referee's belt pack and replaces a conventional exhalation-powered whistle. It can be configured to record and replay a custom sonic signal, a sonic signal selected from a database of pre-recorded sounds, or a standard sonic signal such as a generic whistle sound. Each sonic generator generates a unique sonic signal which is compared to digitally stored sonic fingerprints at a given sporting event to identify a match, and starts or stops the game clock in response to that match. This prevents inadvertent game clock starts and stops resulting from ambient noise. The sonic generator can be configured as a two-way voice communication system to allow referees to communicate with other game officials.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sports timing system comprising:
 A) a game clock; 
 B) a base station communicatively coupled to said game clock, said base station storing a plurality of unique sonic signal fingerprints; 
 C) a plurality of button-actuated sonic generators each providing a unique sonic signal relative to other said sonic generators of the plurality, said plurality of sonic generators each including a radio chip set for transmitting and receiving voice signals, wherein each sonic generator is communicatively coupled to said base station; 
 D) a means to determine a match between said unique sonic signal fingerprints and said unique sonic signals, said means to determine a match being communicatively coupled to said game clock. 
 
     
     
       2. The sports timing system of  claim 1  wherein said means to determine a match is configured to signal said game clock to start or stop in response to said match. 
     
     
       3. The sports timing system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of sonic generators are selected from the group consisting of hand-held sonic generators, belt pack sonic generators and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The sports timing system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of sonic generators are each configured are to emit a unique RF signal relative to other said sonic generators of the plurality. 
     
     
       5. The sports timing system of  claim 4  wherein said base station stores a plurality of unique RF signal fingerprints. 
     
     
       6. The sports timing system of  claim 5  wherein said means to determine a match is further configured to identify a match between one of said unique RF signal fingerprints and one said unique RF signal. 
     
     
       7. The sports timing system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of button-actuated sonic generators is communicatively coupled with a headset. 
     
     
       8. A sonic generator for starting and stopping a game clock, said sonic generator including:
 A) a button; 
 B) a microcontroller unit configured to generate a sonic signal having a specific sonic fingerprint, said sonic signal generated in response to actuating said button; 
 C) a speaker for amplifying said sonic signal; 
 D) an antenna configured to transmit said sonic signal to a base station; and 
 E) a radio chip set for two-way voice signal communication with said base station. 
 
     
     
       9. The sonic generator of  claim 8  further including a condenser microphone for inputting said sonic signal. 
     
     
       10. The sonic generator of  claim 8  further including erasable storage for downloading a pre-recorded sonic signal from a database of pre-existing signals. 
     
     
       11. The sonic generator of  claim 8  wherein said sonic signal is pre-set. 
     
     
       12. The sonic generator of  claim 8  wherein said radio chip set is communicatively coupled with a headset. 
     
     
       13. The sonic generator of  claim 12  wherein said headset is communicatively coupled to said sonic generator. 
     
     
       14. The sonic generator of  claim 8  wherein said microcontroller unit is configured to generate an RF signal having a specific RF fingerprint, said RF signal generated in response to actuating said button. 
     
     
       15. A method of starting and stopping a game clock comprising acts of:
 A) configuring a base station to store at least one unique sonic signal fingerprint, said base station being communicatively coupled to a game clock; 
 B) configuring a button-actuated sonic generator to transmit a single sonic signal corresponding with exactly one of said unique sonic signal fingerprints, said sonic generator being communicatively coupled with said base station and configured to transmit a voice signal to said base station; 
 C) providing a means to determine a match between said unique sonic signal fingerprint and said unique sonic signals, said means to determine a match being communicatively coupled to said base station; and 
 D) depressing a button on said sonic generator, wherein the depression of said button starts or stops said game clock if a match between said sonic signal and one of said sonic signal fingerprints is determined by said means to determine a match. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further including an act of configuring said button-actuated sonic generator to transmit a RF signal. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15  further including an act of communicatively coupling a headset to said base station. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15  further including an act of configuring a second button-actuated sonic generator to transmit a second single sonic signal corresponding with exactly one of said at least one unique sonic signal fingerprints, said second single sonic signal different from said single sonic signal.